Brake mechanism



Oct. 24, 1944. E. Gi M'UELLR BRAKE MEGINISIVIvr Filed April 10; 1943 3 Sheets-Sheet l Oct. 24, 1944. E, G. MUELLER BRAKE MEGHANISM Filed April 10, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 v INVENTOR Imi? 67. Map/(6P H27' ATTO RN EY Oct. 24, 1944. E. G. MUELLER 2,360,967

BRAKE MECHANI'SM Filed Apri; 1o, 194s s sheets-sheet s RM. Y o@ E ma m M m WWW A E in. H .b .MQ 4 .m @N X@ m l, NQ m m Jpn lw 5.@ T1* SN www SSN SN A.

RN |||I||| S w S Pafepted Oct. 24, 1944 2,360,967;

UNIT-ED sTTEs PATENT i OFFICE y Emil G. Mueller, Churchill Borough, Pa., ais-si'gnor to The American BrakepCompany, Swissvale,

Pa., a corporationy of Missouri v y Application April 10, 194,3, sepiai No. 482,600!A leciaims. l V(ci. 1'ss- -46 My invention relates to brake mechanism, andr Afurther object of my invention is to provide particularly to brake mechanism for applying ,brake mechanism Vwhich can be satisfactorily clasp brakes to the driving wheels of locomotives. mounted 'withinthe` limited space l available for.

In modern high speed locomotives it is frethefbrake rigging on a locomotive of the type dequently desirable to arrange the wheels of ad- 5 scribed without' interference from -or with the jacent pairs of driving wheels as closely together other partssof the locomotive. f y ,1 as the necessary clearance. between the wheels Brake mechanism embodying my present inthemselves will permit in order to keep the over- :vention is an improvement upon that described all length of the` locomotive to a minimumv to -and claimed'in myI prior Patent No. 2,242,015, facilitate the negotiation of curves by the loco- ,lo granted onMaylS, 1941, and also upon that demotive. It is also frequently desirable to arrange scribed and claimed ,in-my prior Patent No. one or more of the driving wheels for lateral 2,275,916, granted on March 10, 1942.v

movement with respect to the locomotive frame to Accordingito my invention, the two brake shoes enable the Wheels to freely follow the track rails which are disposed.between the closely spaced on curves or uneven stretches of track without15 Wheels of contiguous pairsof Wheels are secured,

undue side-thrust of the wheels on the rails. some distance above and below, respectively, the When the driving wheels of a locomotive are arvplane passing through the wheel centers, to inranged closely together in the manner described,` wardly offset portions formed on the oppOSiGe there is,'of course, no room for inserting any part ends of a verticallydisposed compound supportof the brake mechanism directly between the` 20 Jing lever, the main portion of which is located wheel centers, andthe available space between 4outside of the plane of the wheels. The two supthe wheels above their centers is frequently porting levers disposed at the opposite sides of limited by the valve gear or other parts of the the locomotive, infturn, are pivotallysupported locomotive, while the space between the wheels -at their upper l-ends` on the opposite ends of a, below their centers is limited by the diameters A25 "horizontally disposed brake beam by means of of the wheels and the necessary track clearance bearing blocks so constructed that the levers are s which must be provided. Asa result, if the wheels free to rotate vabout the axis of the brake beam have relatively small diameters, the only way in and Aalsoto swing laterallyv relative to the locowhich clasp brakes can be applied to the wheels motive-frame a sucient amount to permit the is to place the two shoes which engage the wheels e30 brake, shoes which cooperate with the laterally at the contiguous sides of the wheels one above movable wheels to move laterally the same amount and the other belowv the plane passing through the that the laterally movable wheels are permitted wheel centers. With this arrangement the two to move; The said brake beam is slidably supshoes between the adjacent closely spaced Wheels ported adjacent itsends for movement longitudiwill beoppositelydisposed and will cooperate with ..35vnal1y of the locomotive in suitable guides prodifferent wheels, thus making it diilicult to pro- -vided on the locomotive frame. A second brake vide a satisfactory mechanism for properly operbeam is connectedat its ends with the lower ends ating and supporting the brake shoes. of the supporting levers by means of bearing One object of my invention is to provide an 4blocks similar to those which connect theupper improved mechanism which makes it possible top40 beam with. the-*upper ends of the levers,. andis satisfactorily support and operate clasp brakes operatively connected with means for moving it, for the wheels of a locomotive arranged as above and hence movingthe two supporting levers laterdescribed. l i ally in response to ,the lateral movement of the Another object of my invention is to provide an Vwheels to cause the brake shoes associated with improved ybrake hanger assembly capable of sup- 1.45 fthe laterally movable wheels to follow. the lateral porting the two brake shoes betweenthe adjacent movements of these wheels. The brake shoes at closely spaced driving wheels in such manner the forward sides of the laterally movable wheels that the minimum permissible spacing between are supported by supporting levers connected at the driving wheels need be no greater than that their lower .endsby a brake beam, and the brake' required for the wheels to clear themselves, and.n50 shoes at the rear sides of the xed pair of wheels which at the same time will permit the brake are similarly supported. The forward pair of shoes associated with the laterally movable wheels :levers are supported for lateral as well as horitobe readily moved laterally a sufficient amont :Zontal swinging movement to permit the assoto maintain themin lateral alignment with the ciated shoes to follow the lateral movements of wheels. f f 55 the wheels and the associated brake beam is conl should be "spouse to laterall Adriving;wheels. The member 5 is providedat my invention will lbecome apparent as the description proceeds.

I shall describe oneform of brake mechanism i embodying my invention, and shall then out the novel features thereoiin claims, :W

In the accompanying drawing's,1IE-.ig.lv is.. sid 1, elevational view of the third `and fourth pairsl'ofedriving wheels of a lo scribed having applied thereto brakemecl'ianismembodying my invention. Figs. 2 and Segre-top plan views illustrating different portions of theV brake mechanism-'shown in Fig: 1; certain of the partsfbeing'omitted for the sake of clearness'.` Fig'. "i-is a left-hand end viewof the=brake mechanism 'shown'fin'the precedingfviews.; ;Fig.5. is a rightlhand-end view oi- -the brake'mechanism shown in the preceding views'.ff`lig-.y Gfisiaftransverse sec- 'Ytionalview of 4that portion of the brake mechanisn'i located between thethird and fourth pairs 'or drivinglwheelsl Figg- 71' is an enlarged fragmentaryfvi'ew 'of a portion of'ithe brake mechanism-'sh'own inthep'receding views; v Figs. 8 and 9 are enlarged "views'showing: certain of the parts l` offthe Abrake* mechanism f in isometric projection. asimilar 4reference characters` refer to similar Vparts in each of the several views'.A

point I Referring toth'e drawingsthe locomotive to 'which I have shown my invention applied is of the 'type havingL fourpairs of driving wheels,"the if'st and. secondi pairs of which are driven from Va first s'et of steam cylinders land the third andt j'fourth'pairs of which aredriven from a second set of.V steam? cylinders. -All four pairs of driving wheels aremounted in a rigid 'frame 3|, only-the ,third and fourth pairs 2y and-3 of` driving wheels and a portion of the second pairlfbeing illustrated 'in'theidrawingsu Each4 lpairv oi driving' wheels' is mounted on an -agile comprising apart' oi a" roller bearing axle asse'inblyj the.constructionl or which forms no tof my present yinvention', and is therefore V.not shownin detail in the drawings. It should beY partcularlypointed out,fhowever, that the axle'assernbly for the third pair of driving wheels Z'is journaled `atfeaclivendy `in a.` journal box `(not shown)l Yiormefd in'the-sidelmember-of the 4frame.

f anner that the `journal box is free to L Miramare slide vertically and'laterallywith respect to the frame',and eich'axleassembly-includes a member 5"(see Fig.' 1)l which connects the "two journal boxes and is movable'laterally therewith. This= member may assume a variety of forms dependingY upon `'the particular type of roller bearing construction employed. 'and is here shown as being tubular' in construction: r`This member is `referred 'to 'inthe' art by a varietyfof different riesignations,` butfor"conven ience I-shall hereinafter referto it 'as an axle housing, although'it distinctly understood that insofar as my'fpresent'invention is concerned its exact construction is immaterialso long as it is a non-1 rOtatablemember' whichmo'ves laterally in reymovement of the associated its 'center with two pairs ofv spacedA dependin lugs ;6 and -1 `(see-Fig.r 2)

comotive of the type def'rv 75 openings provided in the appear presently. It should be noted that the wheel and axle assembly just described is free to move laterally through a suflicient distance to permit the wheels to freely follow the track rails on curves without causing undue sidethrust of the flanges of one or the other of the wheels on the adjacent rails, this distance in actual practicebeing .about one,A inch in., either direction from the 'normal central positioni, The wheel and axle assembly for the fourth pair of driving wheels 3 is of the usual construction, and is not adapted to move any appreciable '.i'distance laterally with respect to the truck frame. pue. to theusual operating clearances this wheel v``ndgaxle assembly may at times be moved latergaallywithrespect to the truck frame, but such v`niovement will beso slight rthat the assembly -willatnotimestrain the brake rigging or interferewith its proper operation. That is to say, insofar as my present invention is concerned, this wheel and axle assembly may be considered `as'lixed against lateral-movement. I i -Itwill-.be `observed that-the driving wheels 2 -and 3 arefclosely spaced, the distance between these wheels preferably being nogreater than 'thefnecessary clearanceybetween. the wheels `themselves will require; The reason for closely -spacing theiwheels in this manner is to decrease `thebverall.length of the locomotiveto a minir'o -mum toy facilitate'its` abilityito negotiate' curVes. "Extending"transverselyoi the wheels 2 and 3 considerablylbelow the horizontal plane passing ythroughtheirvcenters are brake ybeams 9; l0 and ll, and extending transversely of the wheels 2 f ffandf3. considerably above ther horizontal plane passing through-their centers is `another brake beam I2, this latter beam being disposed directly above the brakebeam'l. yThe'bralielbea'rrr9 is supported for movement toward .and away' from the Awheels 3 between lbrake applyingand brake releasing positions by vvmeans of a pairoi'hangerlevers i3 (seeFig. 4), fthe upper ends oi which arepivotally secured vrtothe locomotive frame by means of 'pinsl I4 v4mounted in suitable bosses 14a provided on the fengineframe, and the lower 'ends of which are '-pivotally connected 'with the opposite ends of 'thebrake beam,I Secured to each of the levers i' I'3interm`ediate its' ends is a brake head l5 carryinga brake. shoe IE which, when the brake beam f is moved to its braise applying position is adapted -toengage the associated wheel 3 in a zone located VVsome' distance below the horizontal plane passing through the axis of the wheel. -lThe brake beam- Il is supported for swinging ovement toward and away roml-the wheels 2 by means 'of al pair o f hanger levers I1 provided at their upper ends with'spaced jaws I8 (see fFig. l)V which yform a recess i9, and at their lower endswith other spaced jaws 20 which form a"recess 2. The recesses I9 each receive'aclevis block '22 (see'Fig. S'Ywhich vispivotally attached to the lever by means of a pin 23 extending s'through'the jaws -I8 longitudinally of the loco- -motive-and -to a suitable support, provided on `the-'engine yframerlgfby means oi a'pin 24 extending transversely ofthe locomotive directly below thenpin 23. The block 22 `and two pins 23 and 241provide-what may be termeda universal joint 'V70 whereby the levers l1 are free to swing toward and away from the wheels land also to rock in 'directions transversely of the locomotive frame. The recesses 2| loosely receive the ends of the brake beam -H, and extending through aligned jaws 20 and the ends tance, and the laterally through `tions by means of is provided intermediate its ends with a brake head I5 carrying a brake shoe I6 for cooperation with the wheels 2.. the wheels 2 areiree to -rnoveV laterally relative to the engine frame through a considerable disparts are so proportioned that the levers Il and brake beam I I are free to swing times in lateral alignmentxwith the Wheels 2 without strain on any of the 'brake parts.

The brake beam I is supported for swinging movement toward and away from the wheels^2i between brakeapplying. and brake releasing posia pair of compound levers 26. These latter levers are pivotally connected at their lower ends to the opposite ends of the brake beam I by means of bearing blocks 21 (seeliig. 6), and are .pivotally mounted at their upper ends on the opposite ends of the brake beam-I2 by means of other bearing blocks 28. The vbrake beam l2, in turn, is slidably supported adjacent its ends for movement between-brake applying. -and brake releasing positions by means of- `supporting 'guides 29 provided on the engine frame. As best seen in Figs. 6 and 7, each bearing block is disposed in a square holein the lever and is mounted on a pair of spaced sl'eeves 30 which4 surround the rounded endof the associated beam and has its upper and lower surface sloped or rounded from the center toward each end in a manner to permit the lower end of the lever to swing laterally at least as far as the wheels 2fy are permitted to move laterally.

As best seen in Fig. 6, the central portion of each lever 26 is disposed outside of the plane of the contiguous wheels, but the upper and lower ends are provided with inwardly offset por` tions which are disposed within the plane ofthe wheels and which carry brake heads I5 provided with brake shoes I6. Each upper `brake shoe I6 is adapted, when the brake beam` I2 is moved to its brake applying adjacent Wheel 3 in a zone which is substantially diametrically opposite to the zone at which the brake shoe I6 secured to the lever I 3vis adapted to engage this wheel, while each lower brake shoe I6 is adapted, when the brake beam I0 is moved to its brake applying position to engagethe adjacent wheel 2 in a zone which is located below the center of the wheel substantially the same distance as the Zone at which the brake shoe I6 secured to the opposite lever Il is adapted to' engage this wheel.

It should be particularly noted that the reason for securing the levers 2B to the brake beams I 0 and I2 by means of the bearing blocks 21 and 2B in the manner previously described is to enable.`

the lower ends of the levers to be moved laterally in a manner which I shall describe pres- .ently through a sucient distance to cause the lower brake shoes I6 carried by these levers to remain at all times in lateral alignment Wither- Vthe Wheels 2.

The brake mechanism also includes a rst set of interconnected rods and levers actuated by a rst brake cylinder C for moving the brake beam I2 to its brake applying The brake cylinder C is disposed between the It will be remembered that j a sufficient distance to permit vthe associated brake shoes .I6 lto remain at all position, to engage thefi position, and a; Vsecond set of interconnected rods and levers acycylinder includes the usual cylinder body,

. turn, are pivotally v53a of the lever 'Wheels 3` above and in front of the axle connect-v ingl'these wheels; and is lsecured to a suitable support I30'provided on the engine lframe. 'This reciprocable piston (not shown)` biased tothe inner `end of its stroke by the usual release spring (not shown) ,i and a pushmd 3| which is operatively connected With the piston.

The push rod.3I is operatively connected at its outer end with an equalizer lever 32 intermediate its ends, and the equalizer lever 32, in turn, is operatively connected at its ends through the medium ofof two similar laterally spaced vertically extending brake cylinder levers 34 and 35. The brake cylinder levers .34 and 35 are pivotally supported intermediate their ends on spaced pivot pins 36 and 3l mountedin spaced lugs provided on the engine "frame, and are operatively connected at their upper ends through the medium of pull rods `38 and 39. with the brake beam I2 at points equally. spaced from its ends. The pull rods 38 and 39 include slack adjusters of the usual and well known construction, and since these 'slack adjusters are of the usual and well known foonstruction it is believed to be unnecessary .to vde-r ilar to the brake cylinder C, and are disposed between the wheels 2 on opposite sides of the center line of the locomotive slightly in'advance of the axle connecting the wheels 2. 'I'hese latter cylinders are secured to suitable supports 4'5 provided on the engine frame.

The push rod 3| of the vbrake cylinder Ca is pivotally connected at its outer end with the upper end of a vertically disposed brake cylinder lever 46a, and the push rod 3I of the cylinder Cb is similarly pivotally connected at its outer end with the upper end of a vertically disposed brake cylinder lever 4Gb. Thetwo brake cylinder levers 45a and' 46h are of the floating type and are floatingly supported intermediate their ends on pivot pins 41a and '11b mounted respectively in the lower ends of associated pairs of hanger links 48a and 4827 disposed on opposite vsides of the levers. The hanger links 48a and 48h, in attached to the engine frame by means of pivot pins 49a and 4912 mounted in depending lugs 50a and 50h secured to the engine frame. Also mounted on the pivot pins lla and Hoare double jaws 5Ia and 5Ib which serve as a means for operatively connecting the levers intermediate -theirends with the opposite ends of an equalizer lever 52.

The equalizer lever 52 is pivotally attached intermediate its ends to a pull rod 53 intermediateits ends. The pull rod 53 is suspended at one end from the engine frame by means of a hanger linkv, and is provided at its opposite end vwith a jaw 55 mounted on a rounded portion in such manner that the jaw is free to rotate relative to the axis of the lever. The jaw I55 is pivotally attached by means of a vertically disposed transmitting lever 51 intermediate its ends. The transmitting lever 5l is provided at its upper endI with a jaw 58.Which receives a clevis block 59 (see Fig. 9) with some clearance. The clevis block 59 is pivotally attached to the transmitting lever by means of a pivot pin 60 extending longitudiversely of the locomotive--` The clevis block 59 and two pivot pins 60 and 6I provide what'may pull rods 33 with the lower ends .be.termed a funiversal Yjoint whereby. the klower end :of the transmitting lever` is 1free-to1swing .both longitudinally and transversely .with-respect to theloco'motive. The lower `end:of .the transmitting lever;59 is yconnectedby means of a pull rod 62 with-the brake beamsgll. Y|2 .includes iak slack adjuster of `the usual and well known construction.v l y' The lower endsotbrake cylinder levers V46a `and YMib arevoperatively :connected through the medium, of `pullrods 65a and 65D respectively with horizontally disposed equalizer levers 66a and b'intermediate. their ends;V The, equalizer .leversSSa-and 68h are pivotally attached at their outer ends to the brake-beaml atlpoints` equally spaced from its ends byl means` ofstrap links `'la and 61D, and are eachpivotally connected at their opposite. ends tolone end of a pull rod 68, the oppositeend of which is pivotally connected with :the brake beam 9fintermediate its ends. i

A#When it is desired to apply the brakes, fluid Vpressure is simultaneously supplied to all three 'brakecylinders C, Ca and Cb. The fluid supplied .to'the cylinderv C causes thel associated push rod 3| .to move outwardly. in the cylinder in opposi- -tion to. the bias Vofthefrelease springs, and this outward movement acts through the associated 'setlofinterconn'ected rods land levers to move the brake beam l2 toits'brake applying position in -amanner which will vbe obvious from an inspection of the drawings.-`

The iiuid pressure suppliedlto the cylinders Ca Tand Cb likewisecauses the :push rods 3| associated with these cylinders tomove outwardly in vthe-'cylinders andhence causes the upper ends of thebrake cylinder vlevers 46a1a`nd Miby to move toward the left as viewed infFig. l. This'move- "ment ofi the levers 46a and Mib, in turn, acts lthrough the'double jaws 5|aandi5lb, the equalizer lever 52, pullrod 53, transmitting lever 51, and pullrod 62 tomove the brake'beaml 'Il to its brake applyingpositionfand also acts through t'the pull rods 65a' andv65b, the equalizer levers SGaand 66h and the'strap links 61a and 61h to 'movethe brake beam I8 to its brake applying position'. and through the pull rod 88 to move the brake beam 9 Vto 'its' brake applying position.

' 'As was pointed out 'hereinbe'iore when vthe zbrake'beams are moved' to their brake applying positions, the brake shoes will frictionally engage the wheels, whereby eachwheelwill be clasped between a pair of brake shoes, and the parts are so proportioned that the braking forces exerted Aby the brake shoes on' each wheel will be approxilmately equal. j f

l When the uid supplied tothe brake cylinders ofthe brake mechanism i's subsequently vented to atmosphere, the release springs in the brake cylinders will restore the push rods to their retract'edl positions, which movement removes the force tending to move the brake shoes I8 against thewheels. However, the friction'which inherently exists betweenthe'brake beam |2 and the associated supporting guides 2.9 opposes the movement of thisbrakev beam to its brake releasing position, and since 'there is usually ka certain;

amount of unavoidable lostmoti'on between the 'interconnected rods and levers which actuate this 'brake beam, thebrake shoes yattached to the up-l per ends of the supporting levers 26 will have a tendency to drag. p

This tendency is undesirable and for the pur- -Ipose of preventing-ity the brake beam l2 is connected with two-spring'units S for moving this ybrake beam to its brake releasing position follow- The pull rod *ing* a-V brake application. These spring units are similarrand each comprises a spring rod 15 pivotally yattached at one end to the brake beam, and extending intermediate its ends throughy a supporting opening 16 provided in a transverse member 11 formed on the locomotive frame. The `free -end of each spring rod extends with clearance through a partially compressed coil spring |8'and two spring seats 19 and 80 which engage the opposite ends of the spring. The left-hand spring seat v'I9 is free to slide on the rod and bears against the member l1, while the other seat 80 is screw threaded onto the rod and cooperates with a jam nut 8| also screwed onto the spring rod. To provide added protection against the jam nut 8| loosening due to vibration a lock washer 82 is interposed between the spring seat and the jam nut 8|. The parts are so proportioned that when iluid is vented from the brake cylinder C, the spring units S will move the brake beam l2 toward the right, as viewed in Figs. 1

rand 3, to the desired brake releasing position.

When the brake beam I2 is movedto its brake releasing position, the necessary non-vertical` position of the levers 26 causes a gravitational force to vbe exerted on the lower ends of` these levers which tends to cause the remaining brake shoes to drag. For the purpose of overcoming this latter tendency, I provide other spring means for restoring the brake beams 9, I0 and to their brake releasing positions.

The spring means for restoring the brake beam 9 to its brake releasing position comprises a spring unit Si consisting of a frame in the form of a U-shaped strip 85 having the ends perforated and secured together by a bolt 86. The frame is se- .cured to a support 81 (see Fig. 1) provided on the engine frame, by means of a clevis 88 which `cooperates with the bolt 8B, and has its end 85a pierced for. the reception ofA a spring bolt 89. A compressed vcoil spring `9|) surrounds the boli-,'89 between a spring seat 9| disposed on the head end of the bolt and a spring seat 92 which cooperates with the end 85a, and constantly biases the bolt to the relative position with respect to the frame in which the head of the bolt engages the'clevis 88. The outer end of the bolt extends .with clearance through a hole formed in a bracket 92l welded to the pull rod 68 and is provided with ,an adjusting nut 93, a lock washer 95, and` -a lock nut 96. The adjusting nut is so adjusted that when fluid is vented from thebrake cylinders Ca and Cb, the spring 90 will exert sucient f orce on thepull rod 68 to move the brake beam 9 to its brake releasing position.

The spring means for moving the'brake beam ID to its brake'releasing position comprises two spring units S2 each similar to the spring units S Idescribed above. The spring rod 15 of each of these spring units passes through a supporting bracket 83 provided on the engine frame in such manner that the outer ends of the spring seat '19 of the unit bears against the left-hand side of the bracket, as viewed in Fig. l, and has its free end secured to a tie rod |02 which connects the brake headsl|5 disposed at the rear sides 'of 'the driving wheels for a purpose which will be made clear presently. The parts of the spring units S2 are so adjusted that these spring units will returnfthe brake beam i0 to the desired brake releasing position when fluid is vented from the brake cylinders Ca. and Cb to release the brakes. f

The spring means for movingthe brake beam "`|I to its brake releasing position comprises two spring Vunits S,3 and S4 which aresimilar to the and S2.respectively previously described units yS except for the fact that both a common spring bolt 91.

of the spring unit S3 is secured by-means `of a of these units have clevis 98to the brake beam ||.4 The spring boltbetween the two springv units extendsthrough a clearance hole formed in a bracket- 99 secured to a brake beam associated proportioned that the spring. washer 19 ,of` the spring unitS cooperates withv the right-hand* side of the bracket 99 .as viewed in Fig. 1. The

parts are so proportioned that n when iiuid is vented from the brake cylinders Ca and Cb, the will both exert a force,

spring units S3 and S4 on the brake beam to lmove it yto its brake releasing position.

It should *be` pointed outy that' dueto the factthat the spring units y,S3 and S4 are connected between and supported solely by the brakebeams and |00, the problem of providing adequate mounting support for these parts onn the locomotive isgreatlysimplied. l

It will be noted that while thebrake shoes` |6 I site each other Iin a manner-similar tothe shoes associated with-wheel 3becauseit imposes lessstrain on the locomotive, but this construction` the necessityto locate a part l0 comprising a portion of the'valve gear of the locomotive at the location diametrically opposite to the left-hand brake shoe. f

When the brakes are-applied-the-very high" forces which are necessarily exerted on the brake shoes tend to cause the brake lshoes to ride laterally off of the taper of theY wheel treads. It is essential to the proper operation ofthe brake mechanism that the brake shoes should remain in full frictional vcontact-.with the wheel treads.

at all timesv when the brakes are applied, and

to this end `the two brake heads disposed on the side of each pairk of wheels are connectedthev same together by a tie rod` located as close to wheels as the necessary, operating clearances Will permit. These tierods, designated respectively by the reference characters |0|,l '|02, |03 and |04. are generally similar in construction, and are each provided at each end with a jaw |05 which straddles a lug |06 cast on the side of the brake head (see Figs. 4, l5 and 6), and which jaw is secured tothe contiguous lug yby means of a tie through alignedopenings provided inthe Jaw and the lug. It will be obvious that with the brake heads connected together by the tie rods in-.this manner any tendency of the brake-shoes to rider laterally off of the wheels will be eil'ectively prevented by the tie rods, thus insuring proper frictional contact between the shoes and the wheels `at .all times when the brakes are applied.

The brake mechanismalsoincludes means for |6 associated with maintaining the brake shoes the laterally movable wheels 2 in lateral alignment with these wheels. This-means in the form hereshown comprises two-rigid arms ||0 and The arm ||0 is pivotally attached at one end to the previously described axle housing 5 vby means of pivot pins ||2 and ||3 passing through the lugs 6 and provided on the .member 5 and 'I'heright-hand end with the second` pair` ofdriving wheels '11,v and vthe parts are 4soA by means of pivot A is moved laterally, itis, ing linkage connected with Athis brake beamto 4each Wheelof said extendsk at the other end into astirrup |,|l,|` secured to the underside of l the tie bar |04. The arm V,||| is similarly pivotallyr attached at .onev

end to the :previously described axle housing 5 ber 5, and has its free end extending through `a stirrup, l6 secured to thetie bar |02.A

It, will be remembered-that the axle .housing 5 is constrained to follow-the lateralmovements of thewheels 2, and that the hanger-levers IT and supporting levers 26 are `both suspended by means ofV universal joints which permit 'the-asp and |0 to swing laterally sociated'brake beams l as well as' longitudinally of` the locomotive. It will be obvious therefore ment'svofthewheels 2 through the-rigid arms ||0and to the brake beams ll'and |0,' and thencethrough the levers I1 and. 26 to the brake v'shoes'fa'ssociatedwith the wheels 2 whereby th brake shoes will remain at all times in lateral 'alignment with thewheels. It will be noted that whenjthe brake beam necessary for the operat' also move laterally, and it is for this reason "that the transmittingvlever 5l is suspended from `the engine frame by al universal vjointfand that the jaw '.55v provided on the j my invention, itis kunderstood that various changes andlmodicationsfmay be made therein wit-hin the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spiritV and lscope of my in-v vention.' n f vI-Iavingthusl described my'invention, what I claim is:

1. In a brake mechanism for a vehicle having a frame-supported by a laterally movable'wheel and axle assembly, two hanger levers one for assembly each provided at its upper end with a'-J`aw-, two clevis blocks one disposed in each jaw and eachpivotally attached to the lever by means of a pinextending through the jaw longitudinally of the-vehicle and to said frame by means of a pin `extending-transversely of the locomotive, whereby said pins and` said blocks form universal joints which permit the lowerxends of said levers to swingl toward and away from the associated -wheels and also to rock in directions transversely of the vehicle frame', Vbrake elements secured tosaid hanger levers for cooperation with the associated wheels, means connected moving them toward `and away from the wheels to braking and non-braking positions, and othermeans connected with the brake elements for moving them laterally in response to lateral movement of the' wheel and axle assembly toy maintain the brake relements, -inulateralalignment with-the wheels.

-v 2. -Ivn a brake mechanisr'nior a vehicle having a frame supported by a laterally-movable Wheel andaxle assembly, two hanger levers one for each wheel of said assemblveach.provided at its-upper end with ajaw, ,twov clevis blocks one` disposed in each jaw and each,pivotally- ,attached n to thelever by means of apin-4 extending through the jaw ,longitudinally of the-vehicle andto pins |5 ,and passing` through the lugs4 6 and] provided on the `memthat when lateral moven take place, these mov ments will be transmitted from the axle housing:v

pull rod 53 is secured to" the rod vin such manner that it'is free to swivel with the hanger levers for 1 distance relative to ,said iframe Y oi said 'assembly to rock' infidirections transversely of '.the vehicle framabrake elements secured to said hanger leversfor cooperation with the `associated wheels, a brake beam yconnectingthe 'lower endsof said hanger levers," means connected with said brake beamior moving saidr'levers toward and Y away fromV "tliewheels to 'move' said lbrake' elements into and outoi` braking' engagement with the wheels,' "a1 tiel rodf;connectin`g 'said-brake ele` Y mentsfat 'points locatedfclosew'tothewheels, and means *connected with the brake elements for moving lthem laterally in 'response' to'lateral mcv'fment of said wheel and aide" assembly to niai'xitainthey brake elements in lateral alignment. ilewllel-S? j" j "y Y IIn lcombinatiomja railway vehicle including aframe and a. frame supporting wheel and axle assembly. whicliis freev to move laterally a limited c as well asa member' whchmoves laterally with said assembly, a brake beam supported at one side oi the wheels and vconnected"with brake elementsffor 'frictionally engaging' .the wheels, said' brake beamand said brake elements being free tomove laterally, an` amount equal to thesperc missible llateral movement. IofVV said` wheel and axle'fa'ssembly, means'. connecting said member with said' brake elementsto maintain'lsaid .brake elements-in lateral alignmentv with ther wheels, and means for movingcsaidbrake beam toward andaway -from the wheels to braking 'and non.-

brakng positions'including a vertically Adisposed transmitting lever .c connected at .its'flower vend with said brakebeam and .secured at. its upperend to said frame by means which permitsthe lower end ofthe lever to move both laterally and longitudinally of said vehicle. n u

4.- In. combination, a, railway vehicle l' @limine a frame a dairame supporting wheekandlaxle assembly ',whichlis ffnree.`v to move. .lateral1ya.4 limited 4:distanceas, Well as ta member which= mOi/.es laterally, with :Said fassemblv, a -par orA hanger` levers .suspended from saidl frame ad-v jacent one side of,` the wheelsbf said-assembly. by-me'ans of universal joints, brake heads carrying-brake shoessior cooperationwith the wheels secured to said levers :intermediate their ends, a V brake beam connecting f .therv lower ends r of said. hanger leversymeansi` connectingv said fmemberi withsaid brakev heads-.to maintain the .braker. shoes in lateralA alignment.' with the wheels, and means for movingsaid brake beam toward and away from the wheelsfto braking and .non-brake" ing positions in` a manner( whichvpermits-fthe' necessarylateralmovement of the brake heads and shoes, comprisinga transmitting lever connected at its lowerend'by means of a pull rod with lsaid' beam and securedat its vupper end to said frame bya universal joint.' f' I 5.1'In coml'iinai'fion,v a railway vehicleincluding a frame anda frame supporting'wlieeland aideVV assembl vwhich is free-to move laterallyy a-lirnited distancey `als welllas ai* member which jmoves laterally with'said assembly, a brakebeamsup'- ported v at' one 's ide'of` thewlieels 'of 'said a's"v semblyand connected withbrake elements rorfrictiorially engaging 'the wheels, said brakejbeam' and l saidbrakeelernents being free tof-move laterally an amount equal Ato-the ypermissiblev lateral movement of said wheel andlaxley assmbly, meansconnectin'g `saidmember'with' '1"5i @Benner-r:

said br'ake'ele'mentsto' maintain saidbrake ele. f

ments fin-lateral alignment .with the wheels,

means for movingsaid'brakeA beam toward and away .from the wheels to braking and non-braking' positions Iincluding a vertically disposed transmitting-lever connected at its lower end with said brake beam and secured at its upper end to` said frame 'by means' which permitsv the lowerlsendfofihe lever to move both laterally and "longitudinally ofsaidvehicle, and a pull rodiconnected atfone end -to said transmitting lever -intermediate its ends bya jaw which is free `tgz-swivel aboutl the axis of'said pull rod.

' 6. 4In combination, a railway vehicle including a frame and a; frame supporting wheel and axle assembly which is free to move laterally a limited distance -as well as a memberwhich moves laterally with said assembly, a pair of-hanger levers suspended from said frame adjacent one side of the wheels of said lassembly by means of universer-joints, brake heads carrying brake shoes iorfcooperation with the wheels secured to said levers intermediate their ends, a brake beam connecting the lower ends of' said vhanger levers,

means lconnecting said member with said brake a manner-which permits the necessary lateral movement of thebrake heads and shoes comprisinga transmitting lever connectedA at its lower end by means of a rst pull rod with said beam and secured at its upper end to said frame by a universal. joint and connected intermediate its end with a second 'pull rod through the medium of 'a-jaw which is free to'swivel about the axis of said second pull rod.

'l In combination, a railway vehiclevincluding afframe anda frame supporting wheel and axle assembly which is free to move laterally a limited distance as well as a vmember which moves lat-y erally with saidv assembly, a pair of hanger levers suspended from saidfraime adjacent one side of the wheels `of said assembly by means of unlversal joints, brake heads `carrying brake shoes ior'cooperation with the wheels secured tosaid levers intermediate thei'rends, a brake beam connecting the lower Vends of said hanger levers, a tie'ro'd connecting said brake heads close to said wheels to prevent the-brake' shoes from riding laterally yoii 'of -v,the taper of the wheel treads when said brake shoes vare moved into braking engagement with the wheels,v means connecting said member with said tie rod -to maintain the brake' shoesfinlateralaligninent with the wheels, and means for moving said brake beam toward and away from thewheels to braking and non-braking positions in manner which permits the neces! sarylateral movement of `the brake heads and;

shoes comprising a` transmittingv lever connected at its lowery end by means oi a pull rod with said beam and secured at its upper end to said frame by a universal joint.

8. In a brake mechanism. for a railway vehicle including a brake beam mounted on the vehicle forfmovement toward and. away from a pair of wheels to braking' and non-braking positions and also 'laterally with respect to the vehicle, `the combination of actuatingmeans for said Ibrake beam comprising a first pull rod 'connected at one` endwith'` said brake beam intermediate its ends, a transmitting lever suspended from the vehicle by a 4universal joint and connected at its lower` endiwith the-free 'end ofY said first pull rod,'a

provided at one end Withiagjawwhich is free to swivel about the axis of-thegrodl second pull rod wheels to braking and non-braking positions and also laterally with resp-ect to the vehicle, the corn-y means for said Vbrake bea/m rod connected at one end bination of actuating comprising a rst pull with said Abrake beam intermediate its ends, a

transmitting lever suspended from, the vehicle by a universal joint and connected at ,its lower end with the free end of said first pull rod, asecond pull rod provided at one-end with a jaw which is free to swivel about the axis of the rod and con-- nected by means of said jaw with said transmit-y ting lever intermediate itsends, said secondy pull rod being suspended from;thevehicle` at its free end by a hanger link, an equalizerlever pivotally attached intermediate its ends to said pull rod; intermediate its ends, and power meansconnected with the free ends of said equalizer lever. y

l0. In combination, a railway vehicle including a frame and a frame supporting wheel and axle assembly which is free to move laterally a limited distance as well as a member which moves laterallywith said assembly, brakegk earns Supportedy on opposite sides of the wheels` of, said assembly and connected withbrake elements kfor frictionally engaging the wheels to apply clasp brakes to the wheels, a pair of brake mediate their ends by .means oflhanger'A levers suspended from saidfframe` and Ioperatively connected at their upper ends with said'lorake cylinders, a vertically disposed transmitting lever suspended from said frame by means which permits movement of the freeend of the lever both laterally and longitudinally of said vehicle, a first pull rod connecting the free end of said transmitting lever with one of said brake beams, a second pull rod connected at one end with said transmitting lever intermediate its ends by a jaw which is free to swivel about the axis of said second pull rod, said second pull rod being floatingly supported from said frame at its other end by a link suspended from the frame, a rst equalizer lever pivotally attached intermediate its ends to said second pull rod intermediate its ends and connected at its ends with said brake cylinder levers at their .points of support, means connecting the lower ends of said brake cylinder levers with the other brake beam, and means connecting said member with said brake elements to maintain them in lateral alignment with the wheels.

11. In a brake mechanism for a vehicle having a frame supported by at least two closely spaced wheel and axle assemblies one of which is arranged for lateral movement with respect to said frame, a rst brake beam slidaibly supported between said wheel and axle assemblies some distance above their axes for movement between brake applying and brake releasing positions, two compound levers supported at their upper ends on the opposite ends of said first brake beam by means of bearing blocks mounted on rounded portions formed on said beam and disposed in squarel openings provided in the lever, each said bearing block having its upper and lower surface sloped or rounded from its center toward each end in a manner to permit the lower end of the associated lever to swing laterally at least as far as said one for. a railway y vehicle' including a brake beam mounted onlthe vehicle for movement toward and away from'a pairfof-r cylinders, a pairv of brake cylinder leverspivotally 'supported interwheel and axle assembly of said levers brake releasing positions, brakeelements for cooperation with the wheels of said two pairs respectively secured to the levers adjacent their the lower tie ro-d laterally in response to' lateral movementsof said laterally movablewheel and axle assembly for causing the brake shoes whichv cooperate with the laterally movable wheelsk thereof to remain at all times in lateral alignment with the wheels, and means connected with saidbrake #beams for moving-them in, opposite direc-v tions to their brake applying positions.

12. In a brake mechanism for a vehicle having a frame supported by at least twoclosely spaced wheel and axle assemblies one of which is arranged for lateral movement with respect to said frame, a first brake beam slidably supported between sai-d wheel and axle assemblies some distance abovetheir axes for movement between brake supplying and brake releasing positions, two compound levers4 supported at their upper ends on the opposite ends of said rst -beam in such manner-,that their lower ends are free to move laterally andlongitudinally of the locomotive, a second brake beam connected, with the lower ends of said levers for movement between brake applying and brake releasing positions, brake elements secured to opposite sides of said compound levers above and below the axes of said wheel andaxle assemblies and cooperating respectively with the wheelsaof vsaid two pairs of wheel and axle assemblies, a third brake beam disposed at the side of said laterally movable wheel and axleassembly opposite to said-second brake beam and supported 4by means of hanger levers in such manner that said third brake beam is free to move toward and away from the associated wheels to brake applying and brake releasing positions Iand also to swing laterally an amount equal to the permissible lateral movement of said laterally movable wheel and axle assembly, brake elements secured to said hanger levers for cooperation with the associated wheels, a fourth brake beam disposed at the side of the other wheel and axle assembly opposite to said second brake -beam and suspended from the vehicle frame by means of hanger levers, brake elements secured to said last mentioned hanger levers for cooperation with the adjacent Wheels, .a first brake cylinder connected with said rst brake beam for moving it to its brake applying position, second and third brake cylinders, two brake cylinder levers lloatingly supported intermediatetheir ends from the vehicle frame and operatively connected at their upper ends with said second and third brake cylinder levers, a first pull rod connected at one end with said third brake beam intermediate its ends, a transmitting lever secured to the locomotive frame at one end by a universal joint and operatively connected at its other end with the free end of said first pull rod, a second pull rod connected at one end with said transmitting lever intermediate its ends by a jaw which is free to swivel about the axis of said second pull rod, said second pull rod being oatingly supported from said frame at its other end, a first equalizer lever pivotally attached intermediate its ends to said second pull rod intermediate its ends and connected is free to move laterally; a second brake beam supported by the lower ends, by means of bearing blocks similar to those which support the upper ends of said 'levers for movement between brakev applying andA at"`itse'nds 'with saidlbrake cylinder levers fat and fourth equalizer ends,a third pull rod connected at one end with the opposite end of each of said 'second and third equalizer leversand at the other end with said fourth brake beam intermediate itsends, andv other pull rods connecting said second and third' equalizer leversintermediate their ends with the lower ends of/ said brake cylinder levers.

13, In a brake mechanism for a vehicle havingv a frame supported by at least two closely spaced wheel and axle assemblies one of which'is arranged for lateral movement with respect to said frame, a first brake beam' slidably supported between'said wheel and axle assemblies some distance above their axes for movement between brake 'applying and brake' releasing-positions, two compound levers, supported 'at their upper vends on-the opposite ends ors'aid rst beam `in such manner that their` lower yends are free to move laterally and longitudinally of` thelocomotive, a second'brakebeam connected with the lower ends of said levers for movementlibetween brakeapplying and"`brake releasing positions, brake elements secured'to opposite sides of said compound levers above and below the axes of said wheel and axle assemblies and cooperating respectively with the wheels ofA said two pairsoi wheel and axle as'- semblies, a third brakebeam disposed at the side of said laterally movable wheel and axle assembly opposite to said second brake beam and supported by means of hanger levers in such manner thatsaid third brake beam is free to move toward and away from the associated wheels to brake applying and brake releasing positions and also to swing laterally an amount equal to the permissible' lateral movement of said laterally y movable wheel and axle assembly, brake elements secured to said hanger levers for cooperation with the associated wheels, a fourth brake beam disfracasar:

posd=at`the side of the other'wheel and axle assembly opposite to said second brake beam and suspended from the vehicle .frame by means of hanger levers, brake elements secured to said last '1 mentioned hanger leversfor cooperation with the adjacent wheels, a rst brake cylinder connected with said rst brake beam for moving `it toits brake applying position, second and third brake cylinders, two brake cylinder levers fioatingly supported intermediate their ends from the vehicle frame and operatively'connected at their upper ends with said second and third brake cylinders; a first pull rod connected at one end with' said third brake beam Yintermediate its ends, a transmitting lever secured to the locomotive frame at onevend by a universal joint and operatively connected at its other end with the free end of said first pull rod, a second pull rod connected at one end with said transmitting lever intermediate its ends by a jaw which isfree to swivel about the axis of said second pull rod, said second pull rod beingl floatingly supported from said frame at its otherend, afirst equalizer lever pivotally at' tached intermediate its ends to said second pull rod'intermediate its endsand connected at its ends with said brake cylinder levers at their points of support, third and fourth equalizer levers connectedj at their ends with said second brake beam at points equally spaced from its ends, a third pull rod connected at one end with the opposite end of each of said second and third equalizer levers and at the other end with said fourth brake.

beam intermediate its ends, other pull rods connecting said second and third equalizer levers intermediate' their ends with the lower endsof said brake cylinder levers, spring means connected with said ilrst brake beam to move it to its brake applyingrposition, and other rspring means acting to offset any tendency of the brakes to drag due' 40 to said rst mentioned spring means.

EMIL G. MUELLER. 

